Wellington transport plan needs to keep moving

The failure of the Transport Agency to properly look at alternatives to the Basin Reserve flyover is not a good reason for further delays to improving transport in Wellington, Labour MPs Grant Robertson and Annette King say.

“The Board of Inquiry was very clear that what went wrong with the Basin Reserve Flyover lies squarely at the feet of the Transport Agency (NZTA). It failed to properly investigate alternatives, failed to present a fully worked up proposal, exaggerated the benefits and didn’t take into account the heritage and amenity value of the area,” Grant Robertson says.

“What is needed now is not a gnashing of teeth about the decision but rather a commitment from the Government and the Wellington region to get on with the job,” Annette King says.

“Labour is committed to a rapid process to reach agreement on the new plans and get on with building a sustainable transport network.

“Wellingtonians deserve their fair share of the transport budget and Labour will make sure they get it and that NZTA is part of the solution, not adding to the problems,” she says.

Grant Robertson says Labour welcomes the commitment of the Regional Council to bring together a coordinated governance group to take over planning of major transport projects.

“We will make sure NZTA works cooperatively and speedily to support this group. Labour will support evidence based solutions that reduce traffic congestion and integrate public transport improvements.

“Labour is committed to building a 21st Century integrated public transport network for Wellington. Instead of bullying the Councils and trying to ram through its preferred projects – as the current Government has done – A Labour Government will work with the Councils to produce a consensus plan that we will commit to,” Grant Robertson says.